Volunteers still needed for Operation Red Nose

Organizers with Project Red Nose, the annual initiative to get holiday revelers and their vehicles home safely, say they still need volunteers.

The program, run by ICBC, Police and various charities has already served up more than 5,500 rides so far.

Chris Wilson with Operation Red Nose says he thinks the success comes as people become more responsible about drinking and driving.

“I definitely think people are becoming a lot more aware. They’re also becoming more aware of how operation red nose works. When they know that they can get home safely, that their car can get home safely and that their donations go to a charity, I think it makes it a very attractive option.”

But he says the busiest night has yet to come.

“New Year’s Eve is always a pretty special night. Same process to get a ride, same number to phone. It’s definitely by far the busiest night of the year for Operation Red Nose.”

And he preaches patience.

“We ask that people are very patient. Realize that it’s volunteers running the program.”

Wilson says they’re looking for more help to handle New Year’s Eve.

This past weekend in Nanaimo, Operation Red Nose safely drove 278 partygoers and 128 vehicles home and raised over $3,600.

In 2014, the program raised nearly $200,000 for charities in the various regions it serves.